Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy

Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy

For decades, Sean "Diddy" Combs was among the most influential entertainers and entrepreneurs in hip-hop. But Diddy’s star began to implode when a video came out showing the music mogul assaulting his then-girlfriend. There had long been whispers about Diddy's aggression. But critics say his influence and relevance kept the rumors quiet. Until now. A raft of new lawsuits detail shocking allegations of sexual abuse and manipulation orchestrated in so-called "freak offs" -- sex parties Diddy allegedly ordered, videotaped and controlled. Diddy now faces federal charges that include sex trafficking. He has denied all wrongdoing and said all encounters were consensual. A new podcast from 20/20 and ABC Audio traces how whispers of abuse came to light and led to Diddy’s downfall. ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire takes listeners inside the rise and fall of Diddy, the allegations and his defense with twice-weekly real-time updates during the trial.

Episodes

Introducing 'Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy'

March 11, 2025 • 3 mins
A new podcast from 20/20 and ABC Audio traces how whispers of abuse came to light and led to Diddy’s downfall. ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire takes listeners inside the rise and fall of Diddy, the allegations and his defense in a six-part weekly narrative series launching March 25, and returning with twice weekly real-time updates once the trial slated for May gets underway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...
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Party's Over

March 25, 2025 • 40 mins
Diddy was a legendary party host. His star-studded “white parties” were glittering displays of wealth and social capital that started in the world of hip-hop, and ultimately expanded far beyond it. But after a criminal indictment alleging sex trafficking, Diddy is now locked up, fighting to prove his innocence, stuck in a place that couldn’t be more different from the luxury he’s used to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...
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Invincible

April 1, 2025 • 55 mins
We chart Diddy’s rise from musician to mogul, from the center of hip-hop to the center of American culture. But that rise wasn’t always a smooth ascent. Along the way, he had moments of alleged violence and brushes with the law. Were these lapses in judgment or serious red flags that signaled a darker side to his success?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Me & U

April 8, 2025 • 55 mins
Diddy signs a young singer with a hit single who’s on the fast track to fame. Cassie Ventura reportedly agrees to a 10 album deal. They become romantically involved and Cassie’s career flatlines, leaving fans wondering why she only released one studio album. We chart their decade-long relationship -- from the glamorous red carpet appearances to allegations of hidden abuse. A warning that this episode includes discussion of sexual...
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Before and After

April 15, 2025 • 36 mins
Soon after Cassie and Diddy end their relationship, Diddy rebrands himself again, as Sean “Love” Combs. He's on his way to becoming hip hop’s third billionaire, wins lifetime achievement awards and gets the key to New York City. But in 2023, Cassie files a 35-page lawsuit against him, alleging he physically and sexually abused her. Her suit is settled quickly and quietly, but it's just the beginning of Diddy's legal issues. In the ...
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Downfall

April 22, 2025 • 51 mins
As the wave of civil lawsuits against Diddy continues to grow, in March of 2024, federal agents raid two of his properties in connection to a human trafficking investigation. Just a couple months later, an old video of Diddy beating, kicking and dragging his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in the hallway of a hotel surfaces, with devastating consequences. He publicly apologizes for his behavior and says he went to therapy. By Septem...
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USA v. Sean Combs

April 29, 2025 • 35 mins
Sean Combs now awaits trial in Brooklyn's infamous Metropolitan Detention Center. In May, his highly publicized case is scheduled to go to trial. What do we know about the charges Diddy faces, the case prosecutors plan to present, and how his legal team might try to get him acquitted? Host and attorney Brian Buckmire breaks down the legal issues of Diddy's upcoming trial with Aaron Katersky, Sean Combs now awaits trial in Brooklyn'...
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The Trial: Countdown

May 2, 2025 • 16 mins
As the podcast shifts into trial coverage mode, host and ABC News legal contributor Brian Buckmire analyzes wins for both the prosecution and the defense in terms of what evidence the jury may see. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Trial: A Jury of One’s Peers

May 6, 2025 • 18 mins
The citizens of New York who may serve on the jury in Sean Combs’ federal trial begin to answer questions. What it takes to assemble a jury in a high-profile case like this.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Trial: A "Good Juror"

May 9, 2025 • 26 mins
Jury experts say it’s more like jury “de-selection,” than selection. Picking a jury is about trying to eliminate potential jurors who might be bad for your side, while leaving the ones who might be favorable. Jury consultant Eric Rudich explains how attorneys try to suss these out. If you have a question about the case you'd like Brian Buckmire to answer in an upcoming episode, leave a voicemail at 929-388-1249. Learn more about ...
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The Trial: Abuse or Coercion?

May 13, 2025 • 20 mins
The newly seated jury heard opening statements with dueling explanations of events: The government said the evidence will show that the sexual conduct in this case was coercive and criminal. The defense conceded Combs “has a temper” and “got violent” when they say he drank or used drugs, but said domestic violence is not part of the charges. Early prosecution witnesses included a former hotel security guard who testified about Comb...
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The Trial: Cassie Ventura Takes the Stand

May 13, 2025 • 28 mins
All eyes were on Cassie Ventura as she testified in a packed Manhattan courtroom today.  Analysis of her testimony from Brian Buckmire and others on"Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy” which streams weekdays at 5:30 PM Eastern on ABC News Live. Find it on Disney+, Hulu, or on most of your favorite streaming apps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Trial: Cassie Ventura's Second Day of Testimony

May 14, 2025 • 27 mins
For a second day, Cassie Ventura was on the stand in the trial of Sean Diddy Combs. Hear analysis from ABC News Live's "Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy." The show streams weekdays at 5:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC News Live. You can find it on Disney+, Hulu, or on most of your favorite streaming apps.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Trial: Star Witness

May 16, 2025 • 24 mins
With no cameras in the courtroom, one of the key people taking in every word and noting reactions in the courtroom is ABC Coordinating Producer Tonya Simpson who’s there with her pen and notebook. We’ll get her take on the dramatic testimony of Cassie Ventura, the government’s first major witness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Trial: Your Questions Asked and Answered

May 20, 2025 • 17 mins
Brian Buckmire answers your questions about domestic violence, jury notes and the possibility of a presidential pardon.  If you have a question about the case you'd like Brian Buckmire to answer in an upcoming episode, leave a voicemail at 929-388-1249. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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The Trial: Prosecutors Go for the Big Fish

May 23, 2025 • 37 mins
Brian recaps key moments in court this week, including Kid Cudi taking the stand. Then, a conversation with former prosecutor Moira Penza who won a conviction in the high profile RICO and sex trafficking case against Keith Raniere of NXIVM. Diddy faces those charges as well, and two of the defense attorneys Penza went up against in that 2019 trial are now representing him. If you have questions about the case, leave us a voicema...
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Burden of Proof: Diddy Made Death Threats, According to Key Witness

May 27, 2025 • 24 mins
Diddy's former assistant Capricorn Clark takes the stand and testifies that Diddy threatened to kill rapper Kid Cudi. Clark also testifies to being held against her will twice and made to undergo lie detector tests -- repeatedly -- because of suspicion that she stole jewelry loaned to Combs. Analysis of Clark's testimony from Brian Buckmire and others on "Burden of Proof: The Case Against Diddy" which streams weekdays at 5:30PM Eas...
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The Trial: Evidence

May 30, 2025 • 26 mins
Brian Buckmire sits down with ABC’s Peter Charalambous for a deep dive into the evidence of USA v. Sean Combs. Over 200 exhibits have been entered into evidence and seen by the jury to try to bolster both the prosecution and defense’s cases. Plus, the biggest moments from court this week -- including the defense moving for a mistrial and testimony from former employees of Combs. One telling the jury she was kidnapped and another te...
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The Trial: A Heated Cross

June 3, 2025 • 22 mins
Cross-examination of “Mia,” a former Combs assistant, gets contentious. Plus, we answer more of your questions on non-disclosure agreements, no-show witnesses and lesser charges.  Meanwhile, outside the courtroom, the looming question of a presidential pardon, and Suge Knight weighs in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Burden of Proof: Follow the Money

June 3, 2025 • 27 mins
Today was all about the money, in the trial of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. An Intercontinental Hotel employee testified that Combs paid him $100,000 in cash to hand over the video of Diddy attacking Cassie. Eddy Garcia told the courtroom that the mogul called him “Eddy, my Angel.” Also, longtime Combs’ Enterprises Chief of Finance explained to the jury how business was conducted in the company. Analysis of witness testimony from Brian Buck...
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